Her memoir, MY SON WEARS HEELS (University of Wisconsin Press, 2016) shared what she learned about gender identity, gender expression, and self-acceptance from her only child, Harry, and what her parenting journey with Harry, from toddler to adulthood, taught her about herself. Sharing that experience in public appearances, Julie has touched the lives of so many in
...See More diverse settings. She is devoting her life to reaching as many people as possible, with an emphasis on gender identity related topics. Her mission is to make the world safer and the future more inclusive for LGBTQ+ youth.

Julie Tarney serves on the board of the It Gets Better Project, guest writes for HuffPost, and is a contributing advice columnist for My Kid Is Gay. She volunteers regularly as a speaker for PFLAG NYC‘s Safe Schools Program and is also a member of the National Center for Transgender Equality’s Families for Trans Equality network. Julie was named a “Favorite Queer Hero of 2016” by HuffPost and one of BlogHer’s “Voices of the Year” in 2015.

“There are thousands of people who are just beginning this journey right now,” Tarney said. “They include parents, extended family, neighbors, educators, and co-workers. Almost all are either learning about or trying to get comfortable with issues related to gender identity. They have questions about how those issues effect the people they care about, work with, or interact with in their lives and communities. I want those people to know they’re not alone. And I’ve seen how my story can help them.”

Julie has spoken to a variety of audiences in academic, workplace and other settings. She has also been a guest at LGBTQ Pride events to share her experience and expertise.

A longtime resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Julie now lives in Brooklyn, New York. She can often be found cheering in the audience at her creative director and sometimes-drag-artist son Harry’s performances.